May 31, 2012

Norristown, Pennsylvania has a population of 34,324 and a crime index of 13 – 100 being the safest. If you lived in Pennsylvania you would have a 1 in 273 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and if you lived in Norristown, Pennsylvania you would have a 1 in 87 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. The FBI collects information from 17,000 local law enforcements agencies and that is where they get the figures for these statements. In the last year Norristown has had 6 murders, 23 rapes, 172 robberies and 193 assaults. For every one thousand resident there are 42 of them that will be a victim. Norristown has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes. According to neighborhoodscout.com Norristown is number 59 in the top 100 most dangerous cities to live in.

It all started in a chain that led to 25 suspected drug traffickers in the Philadelphia area the first link was on Chain Street in Norristown with a 24 year old Costa Rican man. Late in 2011 Montgomery County Detectives learned from the Department of Homeland Security that the suspected drug dealer was living in Norristown. After this information they were compelled to get court approved wiretaps. District Attorney Risa Ferman said, “This target was, as we had learned, a major drug trafficker. He had a very diverse customer base. It was white, it was black, it was Hispanic, it was across ethnic backgrounds, that spoke to us and told us about the volume of drugs that he was trafficking.”

It took a large amount of work to get the wiretap OK from the courts but it was worth it. With that tool “Operation Chain-Link” gained momentum and helped the federal, state and local law enforcement. In this case alone 53 phones were seized from suspects. They use multiple devices to frustrate police who are trying diligently to track them. When these men were arrested they had 11 phones each. The DA has been working through the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association to change state law to mandate registration of prepaid cell phones. These phones are called “burner phones” and drug dealers typically use them. Let’s hope that the folks whom these dealers got hooked on these substances get help from one of the local Philadelphia drug rehabs.

That is very creative finding ways to get away from the police. If only they used their creativity in useful ways no telling what they could accomplish. Drugs are harmful to use in many ways in all of everyday lives. If you know someone who wants to get off drugs get them to an inpatient treatment center or one of the inhalant abuse rehabs where they can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw. Something can be done about it.

May 28, 2012

Brockton, Massachusetts has a population of 93,810 and a crime index of 13 – 100 being the safest. If you lived in Massachusetts you would have a 1 in 214 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and if you lived in Brockton, MA you would have a 1 in 86 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. The FBI collects information from 17,000 local law enforcements agencies and that is where they get the figures for these statements. In the last year Brockton has had 9 murders, 61 rapes, 243 robberies and 775 assaults. For every one thousand resident there are 42 of them that will be a victim. Brockton has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes. According to neighborhoodscout.com Brockton is number 58 in the top 100 most dangerous cities to live in.

PRnewswire.com reported in 2011 that under the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative by federal, state and local authorities there were indictments unsealed and they were charging nine Brockton area men with different kinds of federal firearms and drug-related offenses. All of this was a result of a ten month investigation. When the investigation started their goal was to reduce drug activity and the number of guns available on the streets of Brockton. When these arrests were made they had picked up a total of 7 guns as well as a significant amount of ammunition and crack cocaine. The Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative makes prosecution of firearms cases a top priority. It provides a comprehensive, strategic approach to reducing gun violence in America. When the US Attorney’s office put this program into effect there have been eleven cities across the state of Massachusetts, including Brockton, have joined in the program.

US Attorney General Sullivan praised the joint effort, he said, “The apprehension of these suspects demonstrates how communities can benefit from multi-jurisdictional investigations and information sharing. Community involvement, cooperation and good police work has ensured that guns will be kept out of our neighborhoods, away from our schools and playgrounds, and out of the hands of dangerous individuals.” Let’s hope as well that the folks whom these criminals got hooked on crack and cocaine got help from one of the local Boston drug rehabs.

Colonel Robbins of the Massachusetts State Police said, “It is important to recognize that cooperation among police agencies and prosecutors at all levels results in a positive impact on the quality of life of the citizens we all serve.”

Gun violence goes hand in hand with drugs and addiction. That is why these people have the guns. Drugs affect our lives in many ways and street violence is one of them. If you know someone who wants to get off drugs get them to an inpatient treatment center or one of the inhalant abuse rehabs where they can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw. Something can be done about it.

May 25, 2012

Fort Pierce, Florida has a population of 41,590 and a crime index of 3 – 100 being the safest. If you lived in Florida you would have a 1 in 184 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and if you lived in Fort Pierce, Florida you would have a 1 in 85 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. The FBI collects information from 17,000 local law enforcements agencies and that is where they get the figures for these statements. Just recently Fort Pierce has had 9 murders, 27 rapes, 142 robberies and 306 assaults. For every one thousand resident there are 69 of them that will be a victim. Fort Pierce has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes. According to neighborhoodscout.com Fort Pierce is number 57 in the top 100 most dangerous cities to live in.

Wptv.com reported April 27, 2012 that one of Fort Pierce’s favorite actors 22 year old Matthew Underwood was arrested on drug charges. Underwood is known for his role as Logan Reese on the Nickelodeon TV show “Zoey 101”. This 22 year old had a search warrant executed on his at a residence and what was found was marijuana as well as numerous smoking devices that were in the kitchen and in the garage. The 22 year old was with a 24 year old who was charged also. This young man does play a role on TV that is viewed by many youngsters. There are many that will probably get wind of the fact that he was charged on possession of drugs. He must know that there are many that look up to him a so his behavior is very destructive as it does give others that it is ok to do this kind of thing. Who knows how many youths this could land in drug treatment –from rehabs in Florida to rehabs in Louisiana to ones all across the country.

In another story released by wpbf.com Fort Pierce Police arrested a teacher, who teaches at a Palm Beach Gardens middle school, while she was trying to get her keys out of her locked car and a bag of cocaine fell out of her pocket. She searched for her keys and then a clear plastic bag containing cocaine fell out of her pocket onto the ground and then they searched her truck and found another bag of drugs. Her keys were in the truck. After this incident the teacher was temporarily reassigned and she was not allowed any contact with students. It’s hard to believe that these are the role models that kids have to look up to; no wonder the Kissimmee drug rehabs are kept so busy.

These are the kinds of things happening at Fort Pierce, Florida. It seems that drugs are all over the young people of this state. Drugs are very harmful and when our youth see that the grownups are doing the drugs they get the message that it is OK to do that. . If you know someone who wants to get off drugs get them to an inpatient treatment center or one of the inhalant abuse rehabs where they can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw. Something can be done about it.

May 22, 2012

According to neighborhoodscout.com Nashville, Tennessee has a population of 601,222 and a crime index of 4 – 100 being the safest. If you lived in Illinois you would have a 1 in 163 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and if you lived in Nashville, Tennessee you would have a 1 in 85 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. The FBI collects information from 17,000 local law enforcement agencies and that is where they get the figures for these statements. In the last year Nashville has had 55 murders, 370 rapes, 1,829 robberies and 4,780 assaults. For every one thousand resident there are 64 of them that will be a victim. Nashville has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes. According to neighborhoodscout.com Nashville is number 56 in the top 100 most dangerous cities to live in.

Wkrn.com reported on April 25, 2012 that in Nashville, Tenn. there was a measure that does require testing as a condition for receiving welfare and this measure was definitely passed in the Senate. There are many states that are looking and presenting this kind of measure but Tennessee has passed it in the senate. That means that this legislation requires new welfare applicants to undergo a special screening process. During this screening if any suspicions come up then the applicant would be drug tested. The measure was sponsored by Republican Senator Stacey Campfield of Knoxville and the vote was 24-9. One wonder where these folks will end up…let’s hope they would get help, as they would at rehabs in Louisiana.

This measure differs from an original one that would have required blanket testing. The state’s attorney general gave concerns about that approach and that it would be unconstitutional because it would violate applicants’ rights not to be drug tested unless there is suspicion they are using drugs. The bill that did pass the senate will go to the House Finance Committee for it to be voted on there. Whether or not it does, let’s hope that attention to the drug problems in our country leads some folks to get help from one of their local Tennessee drug rehabs.

As we discussed before many states are attempting to get this kind of measure passed so that those who need help are spending their dollars on food and necessities and not drugs. I do believe that is a fair judgment. There are some who apply for this assistance just to get some extra dollars to buy drugs. That is another way that drugs are harming us in our daily lives. If you know someone who wants to get off drugs get them to an inpatient treatment center or one of the inhalant abuse rehabs where they can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw. Something can be done about it.

May 19, 2012

Rocky Mount, North Carolina has a population of 57,477 and a crime index of 2 – 100 being the safest. If you lived in Illinois you would have a 1 in 275 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and if you lived in Rocky Mount, North Carolina you would have a 1 in 83 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. The FBI collects information from 17,000 local law enforcements agencies and that is where they get the figures for these statements. Within the last year Rocky Mount has had 11 murders, 14 rapes, 210 robberies and 453 assaults. For every one thousand resident there are 74 of them that will be a victim. Springfield has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes. According to neighborhoodscout.com Rocky Mount is number 55 in the top 100 most dangerous cities to live in.

Late last year In Rocky Mount, North Carolina two men were issued a search warrant at a Food Mart and the end result was that a 25 year old and an 18 year old were charged with narcotics violations. During the search the law enforcement officers seized drug paraphernalia, a handgun, ammunition and 10.2 grams of marijuana which was inside a refrigerator at the back of the store. They also found marijuana on the personal self of one of the suspects. Before the search was done they also found three vials of bath salts valued at $15 a vial. These two are being charged with possession of bath salts (a phenomenon we’ve seen a lot of at rehabs in Louisiana), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Reclaimingfutures.org on April 23, 2012 gave an update to their program. A screening tool was one of the first steps of the Reclaiming Futures Model that was used. The idea was is to screen youth entering the juvenile justice system for substance abuse problems. There were six sites in North Carolina that had adopted the Global Appraisal for Individual Needs Short Screener (GAINSS). It seems that from 2010 to 2011 there were 2,633 Gain screeners that were completed with 2,490 youth in Reclaiming Futures’ North Carolina sites. Here are some results of this screening. 22% scored at moderate to high risk on the substance disorder screener. What that tells us is that these youths may need substance abuse, dependence or substance use treatment from one of the local Raleigh drug rehabs, or one elsewhere. About 18% of the youth scored high risk on the overall screening with an additional 75% scoring moderate risk this all indicated they needed help. This screening tool is made available to all counties through the North Carolina Juvenile Online Information Network (NCJOIN). This data is then used to make appropriate referrals and in development of service plans for youths.

This is one way North Carolina is fighting the war on drugs. Albeit I don’t know if it is OK to label these youths. Drugs are harmful to all of us in one way or the other. If you know someone who would like to get off drugs get them to an inpatient treatment center or one of the inhalant abuse rehabs where they can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw. Something can be done about it.

May 16, 2012

According to neighborhoodscout.com Kansas City, Missouri has a population of 459,787 and a crime index of 3 – 100 being the safest. If you lived in Missouri you would have a 1 in 219 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and if you lived in Kansas City, Missouri you would have a 1 in 83 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. The FBI collects information from 17,000 local law enforcements agencies and that is where they get the figures for these statements. In the last year Kansas City has had 102 murders, 234 rapes, 1,625 robberies and 3,544 assaults. For every one thousand resident there are 71 of them that will be a victim. Kansas City has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes. Kansas City is number 54 in the top 100 most dangerous cities to live in.

April 28, 2012 kctv.com reported that the Kansas City Police Department was out and about being very active. They actually set up a sobriety check point. In this checkpoint they stopped nearly 500 drivers from 11 pm Friday till 4am Saturday. They were located near 40th and Main Street in Westport. This seems to be a very fruitful activity because of the 498 vehicles stopped; police arrested 13 people for Driving under the Influence. Two people were cited for driving with a suspended license and seven citations were issued for other traffic violations. Hats off to the Kansas City Police Department. Alcohol is one of the drugs that cause many problems in our lives.

On a very good note kansascity.com reported that about 100 pounds of unwanted prescription drugs were collected Saturday by Raytown Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This was all part of a “take back drive” that happened all over the country this past weekend. It looks like Kansas City did their share and collected the expired or otherwise unwanted drugs so they could prevent their potential theft or dumping into public water systems. This is a great initiative — let’s also hope that anyone hooked on these substances gets help from one of the Kansas City drug rehabs.

Drugs, drugs, drugs are all over this nation. They can be very harmful to all of us in many ways. You may not see the effect it has on your everyday because you don’t use and abuse. But if you look at the way your taxes are spent you find out that there a many dollars going to the drug war on drugs. The law enforcement in your town will be very busy at all times fighting this war. It may be that when you need one of them they will be too busy with other drug related incidents. That is one way they can affect your everyday. If you know someone who wants to get off drugs get them to an inpatient treatment center or one of the inhalant abuse rehabs where they can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw. Something can be done about it.

May 13, 2012

Philadelphia, PA has a population of 1,526,006 and a crime index of 9 – 100 being the safest. If you lived in Pennsylvania you would have a 1 in 273 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and if you lived in Philadelphia, PA you would have a 1 in 82 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. The FBI collects information from 17,000 local law enforcements agencies and that is where they get the figures for these statements. Last year Philadelphia had 307 murders, 945 rapes, 8,363 robberies and 8,929 assaults. For every one thousand resident there are 50 of them that will be a victim. Philadelphia has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes. According to neighborhoodscout.com Philadelphia is number 52 in the top 100 most dangerous cities to live in.

NBCPhiladelphia.com reported just five days ago that a 70 year old man was accused of smuggling drugs into the Chester County Prison. The way he tried this was to hide it under labels and postage stamps on envelopes. Prison officials located four envelopes which contained postage stamps and either return address labels stating “Proud Supporter Paralyzed Veterans of America”

According to Tom Hogan, Chester County District Attorney, this 70 year old did this on four different times. Hogan said, “Under each postage stamp and label, correctional officers located an orange strip, which prison medical personnel determined was Suboxone, a controlled substance. Detectives reviewed phone conversations between the 70 year old and his girlfriend in prison and the pair discussed how to obtain, transport and deliver Suboxone into the prison. If these two criminals spent as much time and creativity on doing something useful as they did on sneaking drugs into a prison, they might be gainfully employed. Instead, both are looking at felony convictions.” It sounds like some of these prisoners need help from one of the Philadelphia drug rehabs as well as to serve time.

These two are being charged with conspiracy, delivering contraband to a prison inmate, drug delivery and other related charges.

This is a very interesting story and I do agree with Hogan. That took some creativity on the part of these two. Drugs are very harmful to many parts of our lives. Even when some are in prison they continue to do drugs. That tells me that an addiction is very strong and drives a person to do many irrational things. I suppose one of things we need to know is that we are all responsible personally for our own lives and if we all took the stand to not do drugs this world would be very different. If you know someone who wants to get off drugs get them to an inpatient treatment center or one of the inhalant abuse rehabs where they can get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw. Something can be done about it.

May 10, 2012

I own a beauty supply shop outside of Knoxville, TN. My long-time customer, “Janet”, came to me asking for my help with her daughter “Tabitha.” Janet wanted me to offer her an after-school job to help her with being more responsible. The child, an eleventh-grader, had suddenly taken a turn for the worse in life. Janet said she was hanging out with the wrong crowd, her grades were falling, teachers were sending home notes and Tabitha seemed depressed and withdrawn from the family. With both of my daughters in college, Janet had always looked up to my parenting skills and thought of me as a good influence. In truth, I did need some help in the store so I agreed to let Tabitha work with me.

At first, everything seemed fine. She was good at stocking and doing what I asked her to do. She would break down the boxes for recycling. But I noticed that she would usually disappear when a customer came in. Tabitha was not friendly to people. But I have to say I was quite shocked when another of my long-time customers leaned over the counter and whispered to me, “Your new stock-girl is on drugs.” I asked her how she could tell, but the customer just said “I just know, that’s all” and left with her purchase.

After this revelation, I started noticing more of Tabitha’s behaviors and worrying about her. Mainly, I noticed her going into the bathroom with the display can of hairspray. I was glad to think that she was trying to fix herself up a bit and do something with her hairstyle, but then I noticed no changes in her appearance when she came out. She would cough a few times and go back outside to cut up boxes.

Having seen a girl talk about “huffing” on a morning show, I thought that that might be what Tabitha was doing in the restroom with the hairspray. I decided to look it up to see if I could get some facts. Being from the hippie era, the only drugs I knew about were marijuana and LSD. So, this was quite an eye-opener! I found on the health website www.tree.com that “warning signs of inhalant use include: apparent drunkenness, chemical odors from breath or clothing or child’s room, clothes soaked with chemicals, hidden empty spray paint or solvent containers, hidden rags soaked with chemicals, irritability, social withdrawal and depression, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, paint stains on the hands or face or clothes, red or runny nose and sores and rashes around the mouth and nose.” I had a friend who had told me a bit about her experience at one of the rehabs in Louisiana, but that was “hard” drugs like heroin. This was a shock to me.

After reading this article, I became very frightened. The consequences of inhalant abuse are terrifying! According to www.tree.com, the person can experience sudden death! They call it sudden sniffing death and explain it as such: “huffing or sniffing inhalants for long periods slowly fills the lungs with the inhalants and prevents the inhalant user from getting sufficient oxygen in the lungs. This results in the sudden onset of heart irregularities, which quickly worsen into heart failure. Death from sudden sniffing death occurs within minutes. The condition is not confined to chronic inhalant users. People trying huffing or inhalant use for the first time are just as susceptible to sudden sniffing death as are long-term abusers.” If only I’d known before, I would have insisted that her mother get her help at one of the inhalant abuse rehabs.

Unfortunately, the only option I have is to fire Tabitha and tell her mother my reasons. Having her at the store is too much of a liability and I am just enabling her with free hairspray. I am glad I tried to help by giving her an opportunity to have a job, but this is too much! I hope that she gets some help in one of the local Tennessee drug rehabs.

May 7, 2012

One might be Ecstasy commonly called X, E, XTC in the streets. It is a pill that is often taken at partied and clubs. People who take it call it the “love pill” the reason they do that is because it makes them feel very friendly and touchy. Another thing it does is raise body temperature, heat rate, and blood pressure. Some people report feeling sad for days after its effects wear off. National Survey on Drug Use and Health stated that in 2009, 2.8 million Americans age 12 and older had abused Ecstasy at least once in the year. This included 8th, 10th and 12th graders.

Another drug that is on the streets is K2 or Spice which is fake marijuana or skunk. This drug is made from shredded dried plant materials and chemicals. A person who smokes it gets a high about the same as marijuana. Users of this drug end up in the emergency room with rapid heartbeat, vomiting and other side effects. It is very illegal even though you can find it at many convenient stores.

LSD is called acid and I really thought you could’nt find much of that but I am wrong. It comes in a pill or on small pieces of paper that has been soaked in liquid LSD. So if you want to see, hear, and feel things that aren’t there then just take LSD. The colors you see are bright and pretty or you may see things that scare you. National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports in 2009, 779,000 Americans age 12 and older had abused LSD at least once in the year. These include high school students. Our youngsters are really doing something besides studying.

PCP is called angel dust and it comes in pill or powder and it is eaten, smoked, or snorted up the nose. When people take it they feel far away from the world around them. They may feel angry and violent, not happy, and dreamy. In 2009, 122,000 Americans age 12 and older had abused PCP at least once in a year.

Inhalants very dangerous chemicals. Can’t figure out why anyone would want to do this drug because even though they can make you feel high when you breathe them it is very harmful to your body in quick ways. It is called Huffing or sniffing. High school children will find it household cleaners, spray cans, glue and permanent markers. When they use these chemicals they can pass out, their heart can stop and your breathing can stop and kill you. In 2009, 2.1 million Americans age 12 and older had abused inhalants. That my friend is a very scary statistic. Our young people are looking for a high and finding it in our cabinets. Whether you’re on the east or west coast, in New Mexico or New York, if you know a kid hooked on this stuff you need to get him or her into one of the Ohio drug rehabs or one wherever you are.

All of this information is scary to me. Drug abuse is rampant and when someone is addicted they have a hard time asking for help and sometimes they don’t even think they need help. These drugs can destroy our families and harm these young adults future. If you know anyone who needs help to get off drug get them to an inpatient treatment center or inhalant abuse rehab where they ca n get safe and natural ways to detox and withdraw.